Food and Fermentation Industries >

2026 , Vol. 52 >Issue 16: 437 - 448

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.044742

Research progress on optimization strategy of antimicrobial peptide design and heterologous expression

  • QIAO Huimin ,
  • HE Haiqiao ,
  • ZHANG Min ,
  • DENG Chenxi ,
  • LIAO Aimei ,
  • PAN Long ,
  • LIU Na ,
  • TIAN Hailong ,
  • WANG Xin
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  • 1(College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China)
    2(Henan Provincial Key Laboratory of Grain Resources Conservation and Utilization, College of Biological Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou 450001, China)
    3(Guangzhou Bestide Bio-Science and Technology Co.Ltd., Guangzhou 510450, China)
    4(Department of Animal Science, Jiangxi Biotech Vocational College, Nanchang 330200, China)
    5(Agricultural College, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China)

Received date: 2025-10-13

  Revised date: 2025-12-29

  Online published: 2026-09-10

Fold

Abstract

The abuse of antibiotics has led to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, positioning antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as ideal alternatives. This paper briefly outlines traditional strategies for the chemical modification of AMPs, as well as computer-aided design approaches utilizing databases and tools such as AlphaFold2. It provides a comprehensive review of the technical advantages, challenges, and application cases associated with prokaryotic, eukaryotic, and plant heterologous expression systems. Studies indicate that rational molecular design combined with multi-system synergistic expression can significantly enhance the stability, biological activity, and production yield of AMPs. Furthermore, this review highlights current bottlenecks, including the time-consuming nature of traditional modifications, the sample-dependency of computer-aided design, and inherent issues in heterologous expression systems such as host toxicity and variations in post-translational modifications. Future research should prioritize artificial intelligence-assisted design, glycoengineering, and interdisciplinary integration to facilitate the clinical translation and large-scale application of AMPs in the medical and agricultural sectors.

Key words： antimicrobial peptides; design optimization strategy; computer-aided design; heterologous expression

Cite this article

QIAO Huimin , HE Haiqiao , ZHANG Min , DENG Chenxi , LIAO Aimei , PAN Long , LIU Na , TIAN Hailong , WANG Xin . Research progress on optimization strategy of antimicrobial peptide design and heterologous expression[J]. Food and Fermentation Industries, 2026 , 52(16) : 437 -448 . DOI: 10.13995/j.cnki.11-1802/ts.044742

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